Ghanaati dies aged 20
Brilliant filly Ghanaati, the last Classic winner trained by the late Barry Hills, has died at the age of 20, her owners Shadwell announced on Tuesday.
Ghanaati was at her peak in 2009 when she captured 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot before becoming a successful broodmare. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway triumphed at Newmarket under the trainer’s son Richard Hills on her first start of the year and she remains the fastest winner in history of either the 1000 or 2000 Guineas.
She confirmed her status as one of the leading fillies of her generation when following up in the Coronation Stakes, quickening clear of a high-class field to win by two lengths again in a course-record time, the second fastest running of the race.
That success came on the day Barry Hills was released from hospital, where he had spent five weeks being treated for blood poisoning. Charlie Hills was running the stable during his absence.
Ghanaati went on to finish third in the Sussex Stakes and second in the Sun Chariot Stakes before she retired. She joined owners Shadwell’s broodmare band with her notable progeny including multiple Group 2 winner Mutasaabeq, Group 3 winner Wafy and Royal Hunt Cup winner Afaak.
Shadwell pay tribute
Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold said:
“Ghanaati was a fabulous race mare who gave us two special days in the spring and summer of 2009, winning the 1000 Guineas in impressive fashion on her first start and then going on to Royal Ascot where she showed she had improved by blitzing the Coronation Stakes on the day that Barry Hills was released from hospital after a lengthy spell of illness.
“As a granddaughter of Height Of Fashion she was particularly close to Sheikh Hamdan’s heart, and his family were very sad to hear of her death, and we will always remember her as a top class miler and an outstanding Guineas winner.”
